Lab's move begins to lift mystery around NY islandGARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Hannibal Lecter, the fictional villain in "Silence of the Lambs," said it sounded "charming." Author Nelson DeMille made it the centerpiece of his 1997 thriller about deadly viruses and hidden treasure.

Since the infancy of the Cold War, Plum Island has been the site of an animal disease laboratory; access is limited to scientists, support personnel and, on rare occasions, invited guests. Because of its remote location a mile and half off the eastern tip of Long Island's north fork, it frequently has been the target of rife speculation about what really goes on there.

The general public could someday get access to the 840-acre pork chop-shaped oasis now that the federal government is moving its animal disease research functions to a new lab in Manhattan, Kan. With a "For Sale" sign about to go up at Plum Island, the General Services Administration is seeking community input on what should be done with the property. A hearing was held Wednesday in Connecticut and another is scheduled for Thursday on Long Island.

Besides the laboratory, the island is home to a defunct U.S. Army base and a charming little lighthouse that looks out onto Long Island Sound. And, as Agent Clarice Starling told Lecter: "There's a very, very nice beach. Terns nest there..."

Wouldn't it be cool to make the whole island a theme park based on Sci-Fi/Horror/bad movies? Lots of potential there. Museums, tourist experiences, film festivals, horror weekends. Great setting for it and loads of room.

Wouldn't it be cool to make the whole island a theme park based on Sci-Fi/Horror/bad movies? Lots of potential there. Museums, tourist experiences, film festivals, horror weekends. Great setting for it and loads of room.

Oh sure, everybody thinks it's just an amusing, fun thing. But then when there's a couple thousand people on the island, and the next ferry isn't due for two hours - THEN they find out the horrible truth!

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I know that I am stupid but when I look around me I feel a lot better.